Independent Boarding Schools

Hurstpierpoint College is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated on a 140-acre campus in Hassocks, West Sussex. Founded in 1849 by Nathaniel Woodard, the college is a member of the Woodard Corporation and is noted for its Gothic Revival architecture and Grade II listed chapel. The school provides a balanced education, integrating academic study with diverse sporting and creative activities. Facilities include a theatre, music school, and an on-site farm. Notably, the college maintains the oldest school Shakespeare society in existence, founded in 1854.

Cobham Hall is a co-educational independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, set within 150 acres of historic parkland in Kent. Housed in a Grade I listed Tudor mansion, formerly home to the Earls of Darnley, the school features grounds designed by the landscape architect Humphry Repton. As a member of the Round Square network, Cobham Hall emphasises a holistic education focused on character and global citizenship. Part of the Mill Hill Education Group, the school provides diverse facilities, including the ornate Gilt Hall and modern creative arts and sporting centres.

St Teresa’s Effingham is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 2 to 18, set within 55 acres of parkland in the Surrey Hills. Founded in 1928 by the Religious of Christian Instruction, the school is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is centred around an 18th-century manor house. It maintains a Catholic ethos while welcoming pupils of all faiths. Notable facilities include an on-site equestrian centre, a 300-seat performing arts theatre, and a tennis academy. Since 2019, it has formed part of the Effingham Schools Trust alongside Cranmore School.

Saint Ronan's is a co-educational preparatory day and boarding school for children aged 2 to 13, located in Hawkhurst, Kent. The school is housed in Tongswood House, a Grade II listed Victorian mansion set within 250 acres of Wealden countryside. Founded in 1883 in Worthing, the school relocated to its current site in 1946. Facilities include an on-site farm, a chapel relocated brick by brick from Sussex, and extensive sports pitches. The school provides a broad education with a particular focus on music, sport, and outdoor learning within its expansive grounds.

Earlscliffe is an independent, co-educational sixth-form boarding school located in Folkestone, Kent. Housed in a Victorian building dating from 1870, the school is situated in the town's West End, close to the sea and the Leas promenade. Earlscliffe provides a personalised education for students aged 15 to 19, with a curriculum focused on A-levels and university foundation programmes. The academic approach is defined by small class sizes and a system of weekly progress testing. Now part of Dukes Education, the school supports a diverse, international community of students.

Queenswood is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18, set within 120 acres of Hertfordshire countryside near Hatfield. Founded in 1894 with a Methodist affiliation, the school focuses on developing well-rounded, independent individuals through a progressive curriculum. The campus features notable facilities, including a 280-seat theatre and 27 tennis courts, supporting a strong reputation for sport and the performing arts. The main building, Sheepwell House, was rebuilt in its original style after a fire in 1936, maintaining the school's distinctive architectural character.

Bethany School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, set within 60 acres of the Weald of Kent near Goudhurst. Founded in 1866 by Reverend Joseph James Kendon, the school maintains a Christian ethos and focuses on the development of individual character. Facilities include a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a climbing wall, and a high ropes course. The school provides a broad curriculum of GCSEs, A-levels, and BTECs, supported by a specialist learning support department and a programme of over 50 extracurricular activities.

Reed's School is an independent day and boarding school for boys aged 11 to 18, with a co-educational Sixth Form, located on a 40-acre site in Cobham, Surrey. Founded in 1813 by the Reverend Andrew Reed as the London Orphan Asylum, the school moved to its current premises in 1946. It offers a variety of academic and extracurricular programmes, with dedicated facilities including an indoor cricket centre and a regional tennis academy. The school maintains an emphasis on character development and pastoral care, rooted in its historical foundation as a charitable institution.

Junior King’s School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 3 to 13, situated on the Milner Court estate in Sturry, Kent. Set within 80 acres along the River Stour, the campus features a 16th-century manor house and a historic tithe barn. The school serves as the junior department of The King’s School, Canterbury, offering a curriculum that balances academic study with music, sport, and performing arts. Facilities include a dedicated music school, a sports hall, and a heated outdoor swimming pool.

Charterhouse is a co-educational independent boarding and day school for pupils aged 13 to 18, situated on a 250-acre campus in Godalming, Surrey. Founded in London in 1611 by Thomas Sutton, the school relocated to its present site in 1872, where it is housed in distinctive Gothic Revival buildings. The curriculum balances academic rigour with music, the arts, and sport. Notable facilities include the Queen’s Sports Centre and an art studio. Historically, Charterhouse is recognised for its significant role in the early development and codification of association football rules.

Westminster School is a historic boarding and day school for pupils aged 13 to 18, located within the Precincts of Westminster Abbey. Refounded by Elizabeth I in 1560, it is the only ancient school to remain on its original site in central London. The school is centred around Little Dean’s Yard and includes notable architecture such as the 14th-century College Hall. It provides a liberal education that encourages independent thought and academic rigour. Facilities include the 13-acre Vincent Square playing fields and a modern sports centre. Girls are currently admitted to the Sixth Form.

Bede’s Prep is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school situated on a coastal site in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Located at the foot of the South Downs National Park, the school overlooks the sea and educates children from three months to 13 years. Its ethos centres on a holistic approach to learning, aiming to nurture individual talents through academic, creative, and sporting programmes. The grounds include historic buildings and modern facilities, such as a swimming pool, sports hall, and dedicated outdoor learning spaces.

Situated in the village of Mayfield, East Sussex, Mayfield School is an independent Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18. Occupying the historic Old Palace of the Archbishops of Canterbury, the school features 14th-century buildings and a medieval chapel. It claims to follow a "Cornelian" ethos, focusing on intellectual curiosity, integrity, and compassion. Set within rural grounds, the school offers over 80 co-curricular activities and supports a diverse community of more than 20 nationalities. The school aims to nurture the whole person, balancing academic standards with spiritual and emotional resilience.

Frensham Heights is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated on a 120-acre estate near Farnham, Surrey. Founded in 1925, the school maintains a progressive ethos where students do not wear a uniform and staff are addressed by their first names. The campus is centred around a Grade II listed Edwardian mansion and features a dedicated performing arts centre. The school emphasises individual development and creative expression, offering a broad curriculum that includes a strong focus on outdoor education and the arts.

St Lawrence College is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated on a spacious campus in Ramsgate, Kent. Established in 1879, the school is within walking distance of the coast and maintains a strong Christian ethos rooted in its founding traditions. Facilities include a 500-seat theatre, an indoor swimming pool, and a water-based hockey pitch. The college combines historic Victorian architecture with modern additions, such as a specialist Science, Art, and Technology centre, while fostering a supportive community for its local and international pupils.